Both "When Kambia Elaine Flew in From Neptune" and "Sula" have at their cores stories of children who are forced to grow up too fast. They tell of violence in the household, the effects of poverty, experiences of racism, and above all the way that two friends can carry each other along. Toni Morrison’s classic "Sula" begins in childhood, and follows young Sula and Nel as they survive life in the Bottom (which shares a name with Kambia Elaine’s hometown, though the former is in Ohio and the latter is in Texas) and test their friendship as they go separate ways in adulthood.

Do you agree these were good compliments? What did you think of the books themselves?

Note: I have linked my reviews to each of the respective books as the titles in the beginning of this post. Also, if you have not read the books, I will likely have spoilers below so watch out!

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I would say that each of these books actually are good complements. While have mixed feelings on each of the books as a whole, I can see some parallels that I think some folks might enjoy. Both authors are extremely good writers and story-tellers – I just didn’t love the books! Kambia Elaine really grew on me throughout the book and in some sense so did “Sula” as a whole, if not the individual. All in all, if “Kambia Elaine” changed your life, I think that you may love “Sula” as well.